Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI, Match Prediction: Who will win the Match?

New Zealand are 1-0 up and suddenly things start to look different. The team which totally dominated the T20I series, Pakistan, have somehow not managed to bring their A game in the 50-over format. The Asia Cup disappointment extended to yet another loss in the first ODI of the three-match series. A must-win game might bring the best out of them and frankly, they have no option but to respond to the calamity now.

The Men in Green have managed to unearth a special talent in Shaheen Afridi. However, their other two best bowlers Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali lost their groove completely and the former has even been dropped. Even Fakhar Zaman is yet to come out of the harsh reality check in the multi-nation tournament. Clearly, there is something wrong with this ODI team and they will need to sort out things quickly ahead of the World Cup.

The Kiwis finally got over the line after falling short twice in the T20Is. They batted with grit and determination and despite a collapse late in the innings, their tail fought and added some crucial runs in the end which turned out be game-changing eventually. Trent Boult managed to unfurl his best bowling tricks and the others supported him well to trump the hosts.

Pitch and Weather

The conditions in Abu Dhabi don’t change mostly and it will continue to be hot and humid. The pitch, however, will be good for batting in the first half and then get slower as the match progresses. The spinners from both the teams will once again be a threat but just don’t count them out after the way Shaheen and Boult bowled.

Team Combinations

Pakistan

Hasan Ali, after a poor outing in the series opener, might have to sit out for Faheem Ashraf. The fast bowler wasn’t accurate at all and has been struggling since the Asia up. He has picked only five wickets in last six ODIs and Ashraf’s inclusion will add more depth to the batting as well. Junaid Khan will get more matches to play and will have to perform soon in order to cement his place.

Probable XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf/Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Afridi.

New Zealand

There are no reasons for the tourists to change their winning combination. George Worker will look to make amends after getting out early in the last game while Colin Munro also needs to stay patient over the course of the game before going berserk. The middle-order has always been solid for the Kiwis and it continues to hold key for them in this game while the bowlers were exceptional in defending the total. Though a lot more is expected of Ish Sodhi who was ordinary the other day.

Probable XI: Colin Munro, George Worker, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Probable Top Performers

Mohammad Hafeez – Pakistan | Tom Latham – New Zealand

Broadcast Details

TV – Sony Six and Sony Six HD

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

Match Timings – 16:30 IST; 15:00 local

The prediction is for the Men in Green to put up an improved show and level the series.

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